Faro da Palma
Aldea a Redonda, 30, 15620 Mugardos, A Coruña, Spain
Name and Location
Faro da Palma is a small heritage-listed lighthouse located on the northern shore of the ría de Ferrol in Mugardos, province of A Coruña, Galicia, Spain. Its coordinates are 43°27′47.9″ N, 8°16′24.7″ W.
Construction and History
The exact construction date and architect are not recorded in public sources. The modest design and function suggest the tower was erected in the early to mid-20th century to improve local navigation into the busy naval and fishing port of Ferrol. The attached keeper's quarters have been vacated since automation.
Architecture and Materials
The lighthouse is a small masonry tower, attached to a one-storey keeper's building (now unused). It is likely constructed from local stone with whitewashed render, typical of Galician minor lights. The height of the focal plane is 11 meters above mean sea level.
Light and Navigation
Faro da Palma displays an occulting white light, group pattern 1+2 every 7 seconds. Its range is 7 nautical miles. It was automated in the late 20th century and uses a likely solar-battery system as its power source.
Accessibility and Visiting
The exterior platform can be reached by a short walk from the village of Aldea a Redonda. The interior is closed to visitors. Parking is limited, but visitors can enjoy the nearby village, which offers cafés and a small maritime museum.
Notable Views and Landscape
Situated on a rocky headland overlooking the inner ría, the lighthouse commands panoramic views of the naval docks at Ferrol and the rolling hills of Galicia. The coastline here is characterized by granite outcrops, pine woods, and traditional Galician fishing cottages.
Technical and Operational Details
The lighthouse is operated by the Autoridad Portuaria de Ferrol-San Cibrao. Its reference in NGA Pub. 113 is D 1697. It appears on Spanish Admiralty chart A-521 (Rías Altas) and NGA chart 11300 series.
Further Information
For more information, visit the Autoridad Portuaria de Ferrol-San Cibrao official website or consult U.S. NGA Pub. 113 "List of Lights, Radio Aids and Fog Signals" (2011-10-20).
Details
| Name | Faro da Palma |
|---|---|
| City | Mugardos |
| Country | Spain |
| Coordinates | 43.4633015, -8.2735198 |
| Construction material | "Local stone with whitewashed render (typical of Galician minor lights)" |
| Focal height | 11 |
| Tower height | 11 |
| Heritage status | true |
| Access description | From Mugardos town centre, follow signs for Punta da Palma along Rúa Palma. A narrow coastal track leads to the lighthouse in about a 15-minute walk. |
| Accessible | true |
| Landscape type | Rocky coast |
| View description | Situated on a rocky headland overlooking the inner ría, the lighthouse commands panoramic views of the naval docks at Ferrol and the rolling hills of Galicia. |
| Facilities | cafés, small maritime museum |
| Nearby attractions | ["Mugardos fishing port and town centre","Sargadelos ceramics factory (10 km west)","Beaches of Doniños and Penencia (10–15 km north)"] |
| Light characteristic | "Occulting white light, group pattern 1+2 every 7 s" |
| Light range | 7 |
| Automated | true |